Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve

Back in August, we promised to update you with further information about the closure of Ansett’s Wood. We have now been sent the following from the Wildlife Trust BCN:

“The footpaths within Ansett’s Wood are currently closed for safety reasons but the permissive paths within the meadows remain open for people to enjoy. All public access across the nature reserve is by kind permission, with no public rights of way across any of the reserve.

It has been confirmed that Ansett’s Wood has many dozens of dead or dying trees that will need to be felled to make the area safe for the public again. Rather than just a few individual trees that can be made safe by tree surgeons, this is a much more substantial woodland operation that will require forestry contractors to operate in the woodland during the winter season. This will require work to ensure that all regulations and licences are complied with, quotes obtained from reputable companies, and then funding will have to be found to pay for the felling work and subsequent replanting.

Once licences, contractors and funding are in place, the work can be carried out, but only when weather and ground conditions allow. Unfortunately, this means that the woodland will be closed for the foreseeable future. We are in the process of gathering quotes and the necessary licences but it is not a quick process and comes on top of an existing workload for a very small team of staff, so we thank you for your patience.”

It is understood that part of the problem in the woodland is due to ash dieback disease, a nationwide 

problem. The Wildlife Trust will be posting any future updates concerning the work on their website.

The last work party of 2025 is on Sunday 7 December. Meet, as usual, at the entrance to the reserve in Stonebridge Lane at 10am. As always, please wear thick gardening gloves and appropriate clothing, including sturdy footwear to protect against thorns, scratches and snags. Tools provided. Bring drinks and snacks as required. The work party will finish around 12.30-1.00pm.

The first three work parties of 2026 are:

Sunday 4 January. Meet at 10am.

Sunday 1 February. Meet at 10am.

Sunday 1 March. Meet at 10am.

For more information and to be included in the Wildlife Trust’s contact list for all future local work parties, please contact the local volunteer wardens at: fulbournfennaturereserve@gmail.comWilbraham River Protection Society (WRPS) AGM and Talk

Talk by Dr Laurie Friday – Restoring wetland biodiversity: what can our ditches do for us?

Tuesday 25 November, 7.00pm, in Great Wilbraham Memorial Hall.

Agenda

7.00pm Wilbraham River Protection Society AGM

7.45pm Break for refreshments

8.00pm Talk by Dr Laurie Friday plus Q&A

9.00pm Finish

Dr Friday is an experienced zoologist with a background in freshwater and fenland ecology.  She has worked with Cambridge Zero Postgraduate Academy and has strong connections to stakeholders across the Fens landscape. She has recently retired as Manager of the Cambridge Centre for Landscape Regeneration (CLR) and as Director of the Isaac Newton Trust.

The CLR is led by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the RSPB, the Endangered Landscapes Programme, and NIAB. It fosters research in three UK landscapes of which Fenland is one. Here it explores the possible future of the Fens, tackling challenges such as habitat restoration and climate resilience within the context of supporting local communities. Laurie has maintained a 40-year relationship with Wicken Fen, carrying out her postdoctoral research on water beetles and carnivorous plants there in the 1980s, chairing the reserve’s Management Committee, and now partnering the Fen in a wetland restoration project

All the above, is, of course, particularly relevant to those of us living in this area with its predominance of ditches, many of which have been present for hundreds of years. The ditches, the Little Wilbraham River and the wider local catchment area including Fulbourn, coexist as a waterway system that has been modified to respond to perceived agricultural need. Now, however, the waterways are drying and the ecosystems failing. Dr Friday’s talk may give us some guidance for their future protection.

All are welcome to the AGM and/or the talk, although you are likely to find of interest the report on the activities of the WRPS and the current condition of our springs and streams. The event is free of charge. 

For more information contact: wilbrahamriver@gmail.comCambridge Carbon Footprint Thermal Imaging Cameras

CCF is again offering residents and organisations across Cambridgeshire the opportunity to borrow and learn how to use a thermal imaging camera for free. It is necessary to attend a one-hour online training session before borrowing a camera, to learn how to interpret thermal images, identify draughts, gaps in insulation, and heating problems, and how to make your home warmer and more energy efficient. 

Thermal Imaging Online Training Dates:

Wednesday 3 December, 7.30-8.30pm

Wednesday 7 January, 7.30-8.30pm

Monday 9 February, 7.30-8.30pm

Loan periods are either Friday pm to Monday am, or Monday pm to Friday am. Cameras can be picked up from one of 18 volunteer camera hosts around South Cambs, Cambridge City and Huntingdonshire. CCF also encourages individuals, organisations and community groups to undertake training to survey multiple properties within their community.

More information, and interviews with experts, volunteers and organisers can be arranged on request. 

Contact Fran Sutton : fran@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org / 07713 841 391

Fulbourn Windmill CIO – Restoration Update

Even if you did not see the presence of a large crane on three separate days on windmill hill, many of you will have noticed that the windmill has recently lost its sails, cap and fantail. Following the granting of listed building planning consent, this is the start, at last, of the restoration work. A temporary roof has been lifted into place to protect the mill until scaffolding is erected around the mill next year, together with a slightly higher temporary roof, to allow work on the mill structure and internal mechanism to proceed. The stocks, cap, and fantail are being stored on site where restoration work will be undertaken, while the sails are being removed to a large barn in Fulbourn parish for storage.

If you would like to register your interest in the windmill and be kept informed of future progress through Fulbourn Windmill CIO newsletters, please email fulbourn.windmill.cio@gmail.com and ask to be included in their contact list. A new website will soon be live which will include a large amount of historical data, photos, videos, and current and future updates.

During the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan comments were received on the need for further recreation land in the village.

The current Recreation Ground is not ideal with both cricket and football taking place in the same area which creates difficulties at both the beginning and end of the respective seasons. The National Playing Fields Association standards require a minimum of 1.6 hectares per 1,000 population for outdoor sport. The current ground is 5.5 hectares, so based on the existing population estimate of 4,890 there is a deficit of 2.3 hectares. This will increase to a deficit of 4.1 hectares should the population increase to around 6,000 with the developments under construction at Teversham Road and Fulbourn Old Drift (Ida Darwin site). Land for further allotments or communal vegetable growing was also noted as a potential need. Neither of the above developments provide space for any of the above activities.

With the support of the Parish Council, a Working Group is to be established to confirm the need for further recreation land, how it might be used, and to determine the options to meet the identified need. Two Parish Councillors and the PC Clerk are already assigned to the group. 

If you would like to volunteer to be part of the Working Group, then please contact Ron Ward at: ronward3j@gmail.com

Guided Walk around the new Lower Valley Farm meadows and tree planting

Sunday 4 August. Meeting at 2.0pm at Mount Farm, nr Worsted Lodge (access details below)

The walk, starting at the junction of the Roman Road with the A11, will go through the new meadows and young woodland. The land, all within the Parish of Fulbourn, was previously large arable fields but has now been subdivided by fences and planted with grass mixture or tree saplings. Owned by the County Council, the area has been set aside as Biodiversity Net Gain land. The walk will return along the Roman Road, which is adjacent to the land for around 1.3 km, back to the parking areas. The change in land use will greatly increase biodiversity of the area and be beneficial to chalk grassland flowers and butterflies. Ground nesting birds such as skylarks are already in residence.

August 2023

The walk will be led by Dr Ed Tanner (Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge) and Roger Lemon (butterfly expert). The walk will last between 2.5  and 3 hours. Please wear suitable footwear and bring snacks/water – there is mostly no or little shade. There are no facilities at Mount Farm. You may leave the guided walk at any time.

The access to the start point is the side road off the A1307 (opposite High Street, Babraham), leading to Mount Farm near Worsted Lodge. There is parking near Mount Farm, and also across the bridge over the A11 near Worsted Lodge. Cycling from Fulbourn along Babraham Road and the Roman Road is 3 miles each way.

There is no need to book.

Fugolburna Film Project by Fulbourn Forum – Second Screening        

Thurs 18 July 2024 at 7.30pm

Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington Ave, Eddington, Cambridge, CB3 1AA

The film will be followed by a short Q&A discussion 

Free entry. Bar and doors open at 6.30pm. Numbers limited.

We are delighted to be able to offer a repeat screening of the documentary film Fugolburna – the screening in Fulbourn sold out!

This film explores the problematic condition of local springs, streams and rivers, the excessive abstraction of water and the impact on the natural environment.

Fulbourn Forum together with the Wilbraham River Protection Society, the Wildlife Trust, and Cam Valley Forum, has been observing and monitoring the condition of our springs and watercourses for some time. We are keen to keep our valuable chalk streams in the eye of the authorities, water companies and environmental campaign organisations.

A reminder of the background to this project:

In 2019, I saw the documentary Waterlight: portrait of a chalk stream, about the River Mel which rises in Melbourn, and had thought that it would be good to record the Fulbourn streams and watercourses to alert people to the crisis they are in. Then, during the wet winter of 2020/21, the water table rose and the springs at Fulbourn and Wilbraham started running again after a period of inactivity. I saw the opportunity of filming our chalk streams to show the effect that flowing, clean water has on the environment and to contrast that with the inevitable drying of the watercourses, both in summer and even in winter

I contacted Nigel Kinnings, who helped film and produce Waterlight, and he was able to begin some initial filming almost immediately. While this was underway, together we sketched out a plan for a documentary with ideas of what might be shown and people we could interview to comment on or explain the issues that the film would explore. With his background at BBC Bristol and experience working as a professional cinematographer, Nigel was able to help develop the film’s format, and we continued to film through the seasons to tell the story of our local natural environment and the importance of water. The documentary’s title, Fugolburna: stream frequented by birds, was chosen early on to reference the Anglo Saxon name for Fulbourn which is indicative of a fen-edge, watery location.

Many hours of filming have been skilfully edited by Tim Lloyd-Kinnings to tell that story. The documentary shows how people are working to help improve nature locally, looks back at the changes that have resulted in the loss of water and biodiversity, explores the issue of over-abstraction of water from the chalk aquifer, and the attempts to compensate for this loss by a pumped water augmentation scheme by the Environment Agency, of which Fulbourn and Wilbraham are just part of a wider project covering the Cam, Rhee and Granta catchments. Interviews with local people and experts provide a better understanding of the issues and the factors that impact on them. The documentary has also provided an opportunity to celebrate in film our beautiful Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve and other parts of the river catchment area, while also highlighting people’s enjoyment of it.

The film is, on one level, a campaigning one, but it also aims to inform and to entertain, including footage of associated community activities such as the Swift Group, nature reserve work parties, and litter picks. But, primarily, I hope that it will inspire motivation and action to maintain, restore, and improve Fulbourn’s aquatic and wider natural environment, bringing them to a healthier and more sustainable state. My thanks go to all those who willingly gave their time and support in the making of the film, to Nigel for his dedication to the project, to  Christine Lloyd-Fitt for her invaluable help with the production, and to the Wright’s Clock Land CIO and the Wadlow Wind Farm Community Fund for their financial contributions.

David Cottee

2024 General Election Hustings Event

Meet the Candidates

Conservative Green Party  Labour  Liberal Democrats  Reform UK  Independent

Thursday 20 June at 7.30pm in St Vigor’s Church, Fulbourn

The selection of a new MP and government is always an important time. So, as part of our community support activities, Fulbourn Forum has invited all the six parliamentary candidates for the new South Cambridgeshire constituency to this special hustings event. The Rector, the Revd Alice Goodman, has again kindly agreed to moderate the meeting. Following short presentations by each candidate, there will be plenty of time for questions and answers. 

To help plan a balanced meeting, questions should be submitted in advance, by email, to Fulbourn Forum who will pass them all to the moderator. If selected, you will be asked to present your question in person. If there is time, additional questions from the floor may be invited at the discretion of Revd Goodman.

We do hope that a good number of you can come to ensure a packed, lively, but well-mannered event!

Saturday 15 June, 2.30 to 5.00pm, in the Townley Hall, Fulbourn Centre

We are pleased to have two new food stalls for this market. Urara Kozakaya will present a selection of her own fine Japanese pastries and sweet bakes, while Nicola Drew, the ‘Granola Queen’, will have a large selection of her very special granolas.

Fulbourn Forum’s own table will, as usual, have some baked items including vegetarian samosas and onion bharjis, vegetarian sausage rolls, conserves, and local honey and eggs. And not forgetting a selection of ales from Fulbourn’s Moonshine Brewery.

Returning is Adrienne Gordon of organic grower Sweetpea Market Garden (based in Caxton) with a selection of local seasonal vegetables. Not edible, but a visual delight, will be the offering by Holly Chase of the Cambridge Flower Farm with a colourful selection of seasonal locally grown flowers in the form of bunches and bouquets. No cheese this time, but the Cambridge Cheese Co should be back at our market on 7 September.

The stalls with handmade art, prints, T-shirts, crafts and cards include local artists Jackie Duckworth, Allison Henderson, and Yoli Nobel, while two separate tables provide a range of different jewellery by Halina Szutowicz, and Shirley Shadford (Studio 50 Glass Design). Handmade leather bags, purses, wallets and more are offered by Christine Tancock, and newcomer (to us) Stephanie Yong has her own pottery mugs, cups, plates and more. Jenny Taylor has her usual large range of handmade cards for every occasion.

Christine Newman has a large range of fabric creations including quilts, Linda and Tony Cooke of ‘Turn and Burn’ will be on the stage with all their own handmade wooden items, both decorative and practical, while Nicci Trudgeon of Inner Lather will provide  her popular range of handmade soaps, lotions and face/body care products.

The Cafe will, as usual, be run by the Fulbourn WI, so do come, visit the stalls, and stay awhile. Always a good atmosphere.

Tuesday 4 June, meeting at 6pm at the entrance to the Reserve in Stonebridge Lane
Numbers are limited but new faces are very welcome, so if you would like to join the count, please contact the volunteer community warden Peter Montgomery – pete.monty@gmail.com

The count will take place in East Fen Pasture which is still wet in places, so suitable stout shoes/boots are essential, as are long trousers to cope with the long grass and, in places, prickly brush! The count began in 2001 when the total number of orchids was 225. In 2023 this had risen to 3,297! The species to be counted are Marsh (Early and Southern), Bee, Pyramidal and Common Spotted.

I am sure you have seen some of these posters around the village. However you may not realise that as well as the art exhibition and art events at Fulbourn Manor there are a number of talks that you might find of particular interest.

Tuesday 7 May – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
– Trees in a Changing World – Talk in the Marquee by Michael Downs

Wednesday 8 May – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
– Therapeutic Horticulture in our environment – Talk in the Marquee by Darwin Nurseries

Thursday 9 May – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
– CoFarming Cambridge – sustaining our soil – Talk in the Marquee by Gavin Shelton

Saturday 11 May 1:30pm – Marquee in Fulbourn Manor and then on to St. Vigor’s Church Tower
– RETURN OF THE SWIFTS – Fulbourn Swifts Group – presentated by John Willis

Click on the picture above to find out more about Our Patch